Behind the Scenes: London City Airport – Morning time at LCY – At the JetCentre
- Behind the Scenes: London City Airport: The Introduction
- Peak rush to London, aLoft ExCeL
- Morning time at LCY – Inspecting runway lights
- Ramp Operations
- At the JetCentre (THIS SECTION)
- Ramp Walk 1
- Ramp Walk 2
- From the Tower
- Watery Inspections with the Fire Service
- Leaving London and Final Thoughts
As my escort and I left Ramp Control, we passed through JetCentre on the way through.
JetCentre as the name suggests is where the corporate jets and fractional operators (such as NetJets) are based. This area lies to the West of the airport near (beyond Gate 1 towards Canary Wharf and the City).
And London City can handle a fair few types:
- BE20 Beechcraft 200
- BE9L Beechcraft 900
- BE58 PA Beechcraft Baron B300 Beechcraft
- Beech 400 XP
- Hawker 800 XP
- C510 (Citation Mustang)
- C550 (Citation II)
- C560 (Citation V)>
- C525 CJ1 (Citation Jet 1)
- C525 CJ2 (Citation Jet 2)
- C525 CJ3 (Citation Jet 3)
- C550 (Citation Bravo)
- C56X (Citation Excel)
- C680 (Citation Soverign)
- EMB 135BJ (Legacy)
- FA10 (Falcon 10
- FA50 (Falcon 50)
- F7X (Falcon 7X)
- F900EX (Falcon 900EX)
- F200 EX/LX (Dassault Falcon 2000 EX/LX)
- Bombardier Challenger 605 (CL60)
- Learjet 45 (LJ45)
- P180 (Piaggio Avanti)
- G150 (Gulfstream 150)
Whilst there is a great variation in that list, that covers anything from a short range prop (such as the P180 to a tri-engined business jet that is Trans-Atlantic capable (Dassault Falcon F7X – subject to payload, fuel and runway length) – a great range of aircraft
The base has the full facilities needed for handling, catering, immigration and supports a full crew setup and briefing too so everything can be contained on-site and in one building – allowing a quick in and out that those corporate jet fliers demand.
Now, you’ll have to forgive my plane spotting spotting abilities. Big commercial stuff from a CRJ up to an A380 I can spot without a hint of trouble – Corporate Jets are a bit more difficult!
When I left the JetCentre, there were 5 private jets parked – 4 overnight and 1 that had just arrived.
The recent arrival and the ramp crew inspecting as needed
Three private jets in a row parked up at the JetCentre
One more in a corner – note the equipment behind it.
Also stored at this end of the airport is the Winter Equipment (Snow Clearing) and the Fire Service Practice Rig (that Miles from Blighty wrote about on his visit). Whilst London City Airport suffers from fog and low visibility, keeping the runway and airport open during snow doesn’t appear to be a problem for them due to the time it takes to clear the snow, and how quick they can open the runway again.
Being prepared for anything strikes me as one of the things I’ll take away from visiting LCY – from ground, terminal, corporate and commercial aviation – a great way to run an airport.
Next: Ramp Walk 1
Disclosure: London City Airport kindly supplied a hotel room at aLoft ExCeL to me to assist in this visit. Some details and factual information has been provided by London City Airport Corporate Communications Department.
All opinions expressed within this trip are my own, represent my own personal thoughts and my observations during the visit.
You can find out more about London City Airport at http://www.londoncityairport.com/
